Side trip to Vietnam questions

[svea]

I will be in Thailand for 2 months mid january to mid march but will head to Vietnam (never been) in between for a 2 weeks.

I will fly to either Hanoi or HCM and want to make my way to and get a feel for Nha Trang but don't want to be scrambling too much. I hear the train from Hanoi south is great but I also hear that people are a bit more foreigner friendly in the south. Im curious what people "in the know" think ?

I guess I should ask a couple specific questions :

Is it a "scramble" to get from the airport in Hanoi to the train station and do you think I should book a train ticket in advance? I understand that holidays in February are a concern. Should I book during the week ? Would that be better ?

Same question for HCM city airport to the train station ?

Has anyone taken flights Bangkok/hanoi/Nha Trang or Bkk/HCM city/nha trang ... is it an easy connection ?

Also curious if Nha Trang is anything like Hua Hin ?

Thx
Svea

[buksida]

The airport in Hanoi is about 50km away from the city, HCMC is a lot closer.

Yes, you need to book train tickets in advance.

Havent been to Nha Trang (because it was just another touristy beach resort), there are plenty of other good spots, my full trip report from Vietnam is here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22018

[Homer]

Is it a "scramble" to get from the airport in Hanoi to the train station and do you think I should book a train ticket in advance? I understand that holidays in February are a concern. Should I book during the week ? Would that be better ?

Has anyone taken flights Bangkok/hanoi/Nha Trang or Bkk/HCM city/nha trang ... is it an easy connection ?

Also curious if Nha Trang is anything like Hua Hin ?

You are aware that Hanoi and HCMC have markedly different climates for the months in question?

Why scramble? I didn't. Both cities are worth an overnight experience - unless it's cold in Hanoi and you're staying in an inexpensive (meaning one of two things: 1) It's not cold enough for them to enable you to turn on the heat, or 2) You're a foreigner from a rich country, what makes you think you deserve heat, you running capitalist dog?)

Nha Trang (NT) and HH are both beach resorts. NT has a much better beach. The NT tourist district is a long skinny rectangle which means taxis galore. Not many attractions in NT, tourist spend a few days then move on unless they're there for the beach. In both towns a block or so outside the tourist area and you're with the locals, though the demarcation lines are clearer in NT.

Planning on taking a sleeper train? Don't. The seats are the beds. The seats don't fold, move, adjust or morph into beds: the seats are the beds. Spectacularly uncomfortable as seats. What's worse is the upstairs "seats" can't be sat in. The people with those seats expect to share the seats with the people who purchased the bottoms. I didn't take the train, so the preceding is based on photos of the train interior and bloggers explaining why they'll never do that again. But the train is safer than buses.

I've read of people buying both sides of a compartment, or a couple buying all four tickets to avoid that crowding. Also read that you will repeated have to assert yourself, finding some diplomatic way to tell the train worker to F***! off, I paid for these.

[charlesh]

Yeap bsida correct.

The train journey from Hanoi up to to the hill country almost as slow and uncomfortable (bed sleeper) as Thailand > Not much done on their rail system for many years me thinks.
My train tickets bought on the day but I guess they were ordered in advance by tour company. Even though had to wait for some time to get them and the train punctuality is a bit hit and miss.

Vietnam is great especially Hanoi, Hoi Anh. Don't miss the opportunity to wander around.

[Nereus]

Some info here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/trave ... t-of-hanoi

[Parahandy]

Planning on taking a sleeper train? Don't. The seats are the beds. The seats don't fold, move, adjust or morph into beds: the seats are the beds. Spectacularly uncomfortable as seats. What's worse is the upstairs "seats" can't be sat in. The people with those seats expect to share the seats with the people who purchased the bottoms. I didn't take the train, so the preceding is based on photos of the train interior and bloggers explaining why they'll never do that again. But the train is safer than buses.

I've read of people buying both sides of a compartment, or a couple buying all four tickets to avoid that crowding. Also read that you will repeated have to assert yourself, finding some diplomatic way to tell the train worker to F***! off, I paid for these.

It never ceases to amaze me how so many people can write so 'knowledgably' about an experience that they have never had, and about which they have only read negative things (which are much more fun and more memorable than positive things, aren't they?).

My wife (Ms Spark) and I had a wonderful journey by train from HCMC to Hanoi. Your comment about the seats not folding is absolutely true (we didn't find any folding seats on trains until we got to Poland on our way back to the UK), but they are plenty comfortable enough. We travelled one-up-one-down and all went swimmingly. The 'downstairs' bunks are just fine as seats, and we made new friends almost by the hour. The train staff were delightful and did their best to be as helpful as possible - we were fed and watered like royalty, and with big smiles.

As far as paying for four beds just so that you can have some privacy, the people who do this have absolutely no idea what they are missing in terms of seeing more of the country and making friends, even if only temporarily, with the locals. Those same privacy-loving souls seem somehow to be perfectly content to sit literally touching a total stranger for twelve or more hours at a time in some gruesome tube up in the skies.

Is it me?

(Go on - take the train!)

P.

[Homer]

It never ceases to amaze me how so many people can write so 'knowledgably' about an experience that they have never had, and about which they have only read negative things

It amazes me how so many people are unable to believe their own eyes. The 'seats' have flat bottoms, otherwise they'd be a horrible bed. The angle between seat and back is 90 degrees and the back is not padded. The depth of the seat is longer than the knee-bum distance of all but the tallest people, otherwise it would be a horrible bed. Unless you're short for a man, the distance from seat to floor means the front of your thigh will be in the air.

The only people who would claim that is comfortable are those padded like the Michelin man. Or trolls.

[svea]

Thx a bunch for the info fella's

I think I will fly into and start in HCM city rather than Hanoi and spend at least a couple days. Possibly make my way to Vung Tau and then back to HCM for the train north.

I love overnighting on the Thai trains. The second class aircon and first class sleepers/with bar car are awesome but certainly not for everyone. Not sure about the Trains in Vietnam but I think as long as I can lay flat I should be able to get some sleep.

Couple more questions please and thx in advance ...
I read that the Hydrofoil from HCM is the way to get to Vung Tau if I decide to go there ? Any thoughts/feedback on Vung Tau ?
Im wondering a hotel $30-$40 USD near some nightlife in HCM. I read good and bad reviews about the backpacking area so I honestly dont Know. Does anyone have knowledge of the Bich Duyen Hotel ?
I havent read on the website "seat61" of a bar or restaurant car on the vietnamese trains. Do they have and how is it ?
lastly and sorry for all the inquiries . Should I take care of Vietnam Visa requirements here in Canada before my holiday or is it an easy task at a travel agent once I am in Thailand? I have looked into it here and it seems a bit of work so hoping its easier in Thailand !


Cheers,

[buksida]

Didnt go to Vung Tau so cant comment on that, we did a couple of side trips out of HCMC to the Cu-chi tunnels and Mekong delta.

The beds are fine on the train, you'll get the 90 degree seat if you take the cheapest class option. There was no restaurant car on the train we took so bring all of your food and drinks on board.

The trip report and photos from the train journey can be read here: http://ontheroadasia.com/reunification-express.php

[Jimbob]

Na Trang beaches are partly sheltered by off-shore islands. I was amazed at the number of Russian tourists that were there but anyway it did not have the same appeal for me as Hoi An and its nearby China Beach. I stayed out of the town near its long beach and more surf.

I have been to Vung Tau and by Hydrofoil. I was told recently by a Vietnamese girl from Vung Tau that the old Russian hydrofoils have been removed from service after one caught fire in Feb. causing a six month ban on these vessels. Worth being checking if restarted service. The new bridge at Phu Mai makes Coach times now much quicker at 2 hours.

[Homer]

Returning from Nha Trang one has several options. Train again or fly. Or return via Dalat. It was one of the highlights of my trip. Most foreigners I talked with while in Vietnam had never heard of Dalat, probably because their trips were between HCMC and Hanoi.

Dalat has an airport, with flights to both Nha Trang and HCMC. Bus to Nha Trang is 3.5 hrs, mostly scenic. Bus to HCMC is too long.

[Vital Spark]

I agree with Homer - Dalat is a truly lovely town. Went there last year, and we'll be going there again in December (must remember to pack my winter woolies...).

VS

[Bamboo Grove]

I agree about Dalat. The road trip is great once the bus starts climbing the mountains.

[svea]

Well thx again, my SIDE TRIP to Vietnam is starting to "morph" Great report buksida and thx to the members for the heads up on Dalat/hoi an !

Part of the reason to see Nha Trang is because of what I read in regards to affordable retirement there. Thats why I was curious how it compared to Hua Hin. Honestly tho, Hua Hin may be unbeatable for my needs in regards to that !

Being from Canada I like the idea of not too hot days and dont mind cool nights. Kinda like Chiang Mai I assume! Are clean aircon rooms available in Dalat for $40 USD or less ?

thx again,
Cheers,